500 Sails is a nonprofit organization focused on reviving traditional Chamorro and Carolinian sailing in the Mariana Islands. Their mission is to preserve indigenous maritime culture through community education, canoe building, and ocean voyaging.

During my internship at 500 Sails, I assisted in sanding and constructing parts of the 3D-printed versions of canoes to make them smooth and in working or displayable condition. I also underwent sailing sessions on actual canoes, where I learned how balance, cooperation, and structure all factor into being able to navigate the water. During the program, I applied mathematics concepts like measurement and symmetry to assist both the construction and sailing process, also helping with group projects and learning from my mentor. 

This internship helped me understand how STEM is so closely connected to our culture, especially in canoe building and traditional paddling. I learned valuable hands-on skills, enhanced my team-working skills, and had even greater respect for the cultural knowledge passed on by our elders. It also caused me to reconsider my own future—I now wish to pursue options that enable me to integrate creativity, technology, and cultural preservation in a manner that can be both beneficial to my education and my community.

1. During my internship, I assisted in thr repair of Mr. Mario's canoe.I also helped in the 3D printing of the canoe models using Scale factor and assisted in the mathematics included in the project.

2. My understanding of the deep cultural ties between STEM and traditional paddling and canoe construction has improved as a result of this internship. My appreciation for the traditional wisdom I have gained and improved my teamwork abilities. This internship really help me learn many different skill for the future.

I helped make a scale and sail for a 49 inch and 19 inch canoe with my internship team.

During my time in this internship, I learned that teamwork and communication are essential for achieving success in any collaborative environment. Working with others taught me how to listen actively, share ideas clearly, and adapt to different working styles. I realized that open communication helps prevent misunderstandings and builds stronger professional relationships. Through group projects and team meetings, I saw firsthand how collaboration leads to more creative and effective solutions. These experiences have shown me the value of mutual support and trust in reaching shared goals.

During my my internship with 500 Sails, me and my peers worked together to learn and do many different tasks. We had lessons on ancient measuring tools, units of distance, the cosine law, and much more. We also spent our time perfecting our sail for the model we were going to print. Our main focus was to use the 3D Printer to print a 19 in. scale of the original 40 ft. Anson Canoe. These models are to be placed in classrooms all over Saipan; displaying our heritage and culture revolving the canoe. 

This internship has shifted my perspective on many things. It has made me feel more connected to my culture and take pride in where I come from. It has also made me want to do more in order to preserve our cultural practices for futher generations. Adding onto that, this internship has helped me better understand STEM and appreciate the many careers that are deeply connected to it. 

During my 500 sails experience i feel like we all put our  contribution in 3-D printing, solving math problems, and etc.

My internship with 500 sails made me grow my connection with the culture and its heritage. Not only that but it has also made me learn how the ancestors were living back then and what they had do to put their all into building a canoe. Creating mini miscellaneous was one of the cool things I tried and it was fun, but overall learning how to build a canoe using trigonometry which definitely helped me get into a deeper level with mathematics and I will definitely use that in the future.

Helped 3-D print a model canoe using mathematical formulas learned during the internship

Throughout this internship, I have learned a lot of skills and information about canoes. During my internship, I learned to apply calculations in buoyancy, stability, and weight distribution, how to measure using things without a ruler or measuring tape, and etc. These helped me understand how design affects performance and safety. It also improved my problem-solving and technical skills in a real-world setting. I also improved in my communication and teamwork skills.

I have helped with mechanics and shaping the 3d model in the 3d printer then changed the filler with a new color for variety

This whole internship, was an unforgettable moment for me it thought me how to adapt better to the environment and be able to teach others along the way I hope I can experience this again in the near future since I am on my last year of high school I would like to thank all the teachers and my mentor for giving me the opportunity.

1. During my internship with 500 sails I explored how mathematics coupled with ancient maritime technology helps us rebuild the ancient Chamorro canoes. Furthermore, I was able to dive deeper into topics such as ethno-mathematics, 3-D printing, geometry, scaling, and advanced algebra in order to understand how we can use modern innovation to recreate life sized canoes 

2. This experience has allowed me to explore different aspects of STEM and how they are rooted in our culture. I have had the amazing opportunity to learn from trail blazers and master ship builders such as Mr. Mario (Sakman) Borja and understand how critical it is to pass down the knowledge, tradition, and culture of our people. This internship has inspired me to seek out opportunities in STEM so that I may someday give back to my community just like this program has done for us.